Load Your Livewell

Go Lipless for Cold Water

Did that most recent cold front throw you a curve ball? Did the bite you were on suddenly disappear? There is always a solution to every problem, here’s one that has saved my day on many occasions.

After severe cold fronts big bass almost always seek out the darkest shadows they can find. I mean under the really thick stuff. It may be matted hydrilla, water willow, or even a bunch of “sawdust” that has piled up in the back of a pocket. These are places that are impenetrable for most lures, so I get out my punch box.

My punch box is a special tackle kit I carry that has nothing in it except 1 and 1.5 oz TG Tungsten weights, and some big 5/0 TX3 hooks. These monster weights will penetrate into even the thickest areas of cover, places where most bass never see a lure. Use the 1 oz whenever possible, but under extreme conditions you may need to go to the 1.5.

This is a big fish technique and calls for the heaviest stick you’ve got. A 7 foot heavy action flippin’ stick will work perfect. Spool up with some 50# test braid and your ready to go to work. You’ll need to peg the sinker with either a toothpick or a “peg-it” so that it will not slide up the line.

Next, rig up a YUM Wooly Bug and flip or pitch the bait into the matted cover. Sometimes the bait will stop on top of the mat and you will have to jiggle it a few times to get it to punch through. Once the bait falls through jig it slowly up and down for 10 or 15 seconds. If you don’t get a bite pitch it to another spot. I often find the bass “schooled up” under these mats and it’s not uncommon to catch a limit out from under 1 small mat. You may need to fish 100 mats before you find the magic spot, but when you do, it will definitely be worth it!